The wonders of a special amusement park where one can let out their wildest dreams of the Wild West go astray when a technical malfunction leads to murders in the original 1973 Westworld, written and directed by Michael Crichton. Now on a new 4k UHD/Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
Jurassic Park, which I remind you is the Best Movie of All Time, wasn’t Michael Crichton’s first foray into “future science amusement park gone wrong,” and far from the first“science goes screwy thanks to the hubris of man” in his oeuvre of novels, TV, and film. These two concepts came together in the original Westworld of 1973, a thrilling sci-fi horror of what happens when safety protocols in a future park fail, and guests get eaten by a T. Rex, er, shot by Yul Brenner’s impressively terrifying and iconic Gunslinger. Jokes and comparisons aside, Westworld, written and directed by Michael Crichton and not based on an existing text by the author, is a great film that has secured itself a wondenrful legacy in the HBO TV series (and not so much in the first TV show – more later- and Futureworld sequel), remaining in pop culture as a big idea done very well.
Westworld is far more than “robots fritz out and harm guests.” You might be surprised to know the elevator pitch idea doesn’t really come to fruition until the last 30 of a tight 88 minutes. Of course, there are set-ups to get us there, however it’s fascinating in simply exploring the concept of the parks (this edition also has a Roman World of decadence, and a Medival World, for those who think 2 hours at Medieval Times ain’t enough): how they work, how people can find new personas, and searching who someone might really be. The first season of the HBO series did the same, expanding the 88 minutes to a full season. Without harking too much to the excellent show, the leads of the film are similar to the brothers in the show. We have James Brolin (looking a hell of a lot like Christian Bale) as a brash multiple-time visitor, cocky and all about the freedoms from law and the social contract, bringing on the more reserved Richard Benjamin, a recent divorcee resetting his life by stepping out of it for a few days. Both are well-written archetypes performed admirably, serving as audience surrogates to this wild world.
Crichton is excellent at balancing the science and wonder of things with crowd-pleasing fun with storytelling and character. That’s what makes Westworld work. If they get there and they immediately are running for their lives, there’s no oomph. But in slowly building it, the tension of waiting for the shoe to drop and the real violence to begin is delicious. That and just seeing how this world works, as it’s been running for quite a while (akin to seeing the working Jurassic World before the I. Rex escaped). Crichton’s script and direction are purposeful in how it doles out the information, how it moves with cuts, and the thrill of the shoot. It’s too bad he didn’t direct more (even if Runaway is pretty terrible). He has a strong visual sense.
I enjoy how much he balances the “wow, this is freakin’ cool” with “but it’s going to fuck up magnificently; enjoy the idyllic ride before the train leaves the track.” Thank you, video at the start, which not only is an excellent exposition, but sets a satiric and critical tone to the works. This video was added in from reshoots, a great addition. Both ends of the story are fascinating. I’ve not spoken about the park logistics headed by Alen Oppenheimer, Skeltor himself (along with hundreds of other credits), but to me, it’s just as interesting as those enjoying the fantasy. A favorite part of the show was digging into the hows and whys, setting up, and answering questions. While the 88 minutes don’t allow time for it to fully develop, I appreciate it and was wholly involved rather than asking the film to get back to the other side.
Michael Crichton’s Westworld is a fully thrilling film, running tightly on such a clever idea. Crichton and others would take this concept and mold it into perfection with Jurassic Park and the HBO TV show (the first season at least), but for a start, the 1972 film works wonderfully.
The Package
Arrow offers this Limited Edition in two formats: 4k UHD or Blu-ray. Both options contain a single disc (printed with the map of the park) with all the contents. The contents and the physical packaging are the same in both editions. It has a reversible sleeve with the original art and newly commissioned art on the other. A fold-out poster is also double-sided with the same art. It includes six postcards with images of the film and a bound booklet (see features for more). The plastic case is wrapped in a slipbox with the new poster.
The Presentation
Another beautiful restoration from the original negative. Free of grain, and popping in the colors with such detail to locations and costumes. I’ve had this film on VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, and now 4k, and it’s noticeable. The audio is a bounty: the choice of a remixed 5.1 DTS-HD surround, or original in 4-channel, 2.0, and 1.0 mono. Subtitles are in English.
The Features
Outside the TV episode, the features are without subtitles. A good collection. The highlight for me is pulling back Brolin and Benjamin to chat. Crichton passed away a long time ago, man, I wish we could hear from him.
Commentary (new)
Daniel Kremer has a nice chat, wide-ranging on the hows and whys of setting up the film, making it work, Crichton’s influence,s and what it wrought (such as Halloween; with the gunslinger influencing Michael Myers!). He does fall off at times, but when it works, it works.
Cowboy Dreams (new)
A fantastic conversation between Richard Benjamin and producer/ & screenwriter Larry Karaszewski (not for this, but Ed Wood, Dolemite is my Name, and others). Wow, Ben’s looking great at 87! Their talk is fascinating and introspective of filmmaking on the whole and for this film. They talk about the amazing sets, ideas, and how it all went down with a flourish and love. Wish it were longer! (12m)
At Home on the Range James Brolin (New)
The 84-year-old James Brolin expounds on the joy of making something work with a slew of folks. Great appreciation for everyone involved in the process. It seems like he had a great time on this set and just loved to make movies. So charming. (17m)
HollyWorld: Producing Westworld (Paul Lazaraus III)
Producer Paul Lazarus III has a talk about not only making this, but also about how Hollywood and studios all worked in the shifts of the early 70s. Lots of appreciation for how this specifically came together and the detail of Crichton. (34m)
Sex, Death, and Androids
Alexandra Heller-Nicolas provides a visual essay on sex and gender politics within Westworld. As she often does, whether it is sitting for an interview on Chain Reactions, a commentary like Cheap Thrills, or her visual essays, she offers a new point-of-view of academic insight and lenses on a title. (13m)
On location in Westworld (1973)
An archival Behind-the-scenes EPK includes interviews, spoiler-filled sequences, and some effects footage. (9m)
Beyond Westworld (1980, also on the previous disc releases)
A pilot for a 5-episode continuation show that failed. Westworld has been destroyed (you think that could be a great pilot, rather than this tripe) and a bunch of robots are out there, causing mischief at the direction of some evil guy. Or something. This is a dull slog and a mess. I can see why this got shelved pretty quickly. (48m)
Booklet
A 40-page bound booklet. It contains the normal production stills and credits, along with 4 excellent essays. They cover how Westworld incited a change in 70s sci-fi, the warning it gives of misuse of technology, masculinity, and the costumes & production design of the film.
Final Thoughts
Arrow upgrades the 1973 Westworld, the launch point of so much to follow, with a great transfer, a solid commentary, and some great interviews and other features. Well worth the upgrade from the slim Blu-Ray.